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speyside DISTILLERIES
Speyside
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Home to the most elegant and inspired whiskies in Scotland, Speyside is also home to the most distilleries in the Country, some of which include Aberlour, The Balvenie, Cardhu, Cragganmore, Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich, Glenglassaugh, The Glenlivet, Glen Moray and The Macallan.
The largest amount of Scotch production from the highest number of distilleries comes from Speyside, in the northeast of the country. Despite not being too large of an area, this is where around 50% of all Scotch is produced. Speyside's product comes from the 50 distilleries, over half of the country's total number of Scotch producers. |
Due to the sheer volume of distilleries, there's a huge amount of difference in the character of Speyside Scotch, from lighter grassy numbers, to the sweeter, richer, sherried type. The single malts from the area are notable for their refined smokiness and complexity. Johnnie Walker, one of the world's more popular Scotch brands, originates from here.
Predominant Flavors
Varies, but generally smoky and deeply complex with hints of apple, nutmeg and vanilla.
Notable Distilleries
Johnnie Walker, Glenlivet, Glenfiddich
Varies, but generally smoky and deeply complex with hints of apple, nutmeg and vanilla.
Notable Distilleries
Johnnie Walker, Glenlivet, Glenfiddich
the highlands
The Highlands
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If you roughly drew a line between Edinburgh and Glasgow, everything above that would be the Highlands. Geographically speaking, it's the largest whiskey producing area, which includes the cities of Inverness, Aberdeen and Dundee.
They're much more spread out than in Speyside, but there are over 30 distilleries in the area. Known as medium bodied whiskies, they are typically lighter and more luxurious than their brothers Islay, but stronger than the ones in the Lowlands. Today there are many highland distilleries, some of which include Aberfeldy, Balblair, Ben Nevis, Clynelish, The Dalmore, Dalwhinnie, Glen Ord, Glenmorangie, Oban and Old Pulteney. On the islands, you can find Arran, Jura, Tobermory, Highland Park and Scapa, as well as Talisker still operating today. While many whisky connoisseurs believe the islands should have their own region, they are still technically classified as a part of the highlands. |
If you found yourself gamboling amid the thistle and quaffing a Scotch from here, the notes of peat, honey, and heather in a much more robust, dry body would shine through. But because of the sheer size of the land mass there is also a huge difference in flavor, like with Speyside. Distilleries nearer the coast – as you’d imagine - make batches with a salty taste.
Probably the most widely known brand from The Highlands is Glenmorangie.
Predominant Flavors
Because of just how large this area, the amount of variation is huge, but you can generally expect especially bold flavors, including heather and dried fruit.
Notable Distilleries
Wolfburn, Ben Nevis, Glenturret
Probably the most widely known brand from The Highlands is Glenmorangie.
Predominant Flavors
Because of just how large this area, the amount of variation is huge, but you can generally expect especially bold flavors, including heather and dried fruit.
Notable Distilleries
Wolfburn, Ben Nevis, Glenturret
the lowlands
The Lowlands
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Generally considered the lighter and most delicate whiskies, the Lowland distilleries often produce spirits with very little to no peat. Today the only distilleries still in operation are Auchentoshan, Bladnoch and Glenkinchie. However, a fourth distillery has recently opened called Daftmill, but its first release is still in production and is not expected to be released to the public until sometime in 2015. This area is famous for utilizing the triple distillery method, which increases the alcohol content but leaves the final whiskey lighter, as it removes heavy components like oil and protein. You'll find it in the southernmost part of Scotland. |
There are, sadly, only three distilleries left in the area, all of which produce lighter single malts. Known as "The Lowland Ladies" for their fruity, floral flavor, they were originally popular with the English – who are, coincidentally, often considered by the Scots to be a people best suited to ladies' drinks.
Predominant Flavors
Floral tones like grass and honeysuckle pair with sweeter notes like toffee and cinnamon.
Notable Distilleries
Glenkinchie, Bladnoch, Auchentoshan
Predominant Flavors
Floral tones like grass and honeysuckle pair with sweeter notes like toffee and cinnamon.
Notable Distilleries
Glenkinchie, Bladnoch, Auchentoshan
CAMPBELLTOWN
Campbelltown
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The small western coastal town of Campbelltown used to be the hub of Scotch distilling with early worldwide distribution. That is, until overproduction, American prohibition, and the depression hit sales hard.
With the majority of its bottles aged at the 10 year mark, the region is home to just three active distilleries which include Glen Scotia, Glengyle and Springbank. Purists still consider Campbeltown one of the most important zones of Scotch production, purely because of their huge impact at the turn of the 20th century on popularizing the stuff. Single malts made there contain both the sweet and the savory, with briny, smokey notes jostling with fruit, toffee and vanilla. There are only three distilleries left here, including old Glengyle, which was founded in 1872, shuttered in 1925, and was just reopened in its original location in 2004. |
Predominant Flavors
Among the previously mentioned brine and smoke, enthusiasts also praise the area's distinctive (and, unless you have the palate for it, a bit off-putting) flavor of wet dog, also called wet wool.
Notable Distilleries
Glen Scotia, Springbank, Glengyle
Among the previously mentioned brine and smoke, enthusiasts also praise the area's distinctive (and, unless you have the palate for it, a bit off-putting) flavor of wet dog, also called wet wool.
Notable Distilleries
Glen Scotia, Springbank, Glengyle
islay
islay - (My personal favorite)
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This small island off the west coast of the mainland is only 25 miles long, but contains nine distilleries. To the uninitiated, their Scotch can be a bit intense, given that it packs a powerful wallop due to the quality of its peat (soil made of decayed moss matter).
Considered the heavy-hitters of Scotch whisky, these spirits are usually heavily peated, often oily and even sometimes compared to iodine. Islay is home to a current eight distilleries which include Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Lagavulin and Laphroaig. There are eight active distilleries and the industry is the island's second largest employer after agriculture |
The level of smokiness a Scotch achieves is determined by the time and type of smoldering peat the barley is exposed to during its drying process. The peat on Islay, fed on a constant diet of rain and seaspray, is particularly pungent and adds a strong smoky, earthy taste with a touch of salty seaweed. If you think you can handle it, cop a bottle of Ardbeg to put some bag on your pipes.
Predominant Flavors
Although they don’t sound appetizing, the mixture off brine, sea wood, smoke, and salt add a distinctive and intense flavor. It's an acquired taste.
Notable Distilleries
Ardbeg, Bowmore, Lagavulin, Laphroaig
Predominant Flavors
Although they don’t sound appetizing, the mixture off brine, sea wood, smoke, and salt add a distinctive and intense flavor. It's an acquired taste.
Notable Distilleries
Ardbeg, Bowmore, Lagavulin, Laphroaig
my personal favorite single malt whisky
know your scotch
distillery |
location |
region |
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Aberfeldy
Aberlour Abhainn Dearg Ailsa Bay Allt a' Bhainne Annandale distillery Arbikie Ardbeg Ardmore Ardnamurchan distillery Arran Auchentoshan Auchroisk Aultmore Balblair Balmenach Balvenie Ben Nevis BenRiach Benrinnes Benromach Bladnoch Blair Athol Bowmore Brackla Braeval Bruichladdich Bunnahabhain Caol Ila Cardhu Clynelish Cragganmore Craigellachie Daftmill Dailuaine Dalmore Dalwhinnie Deanston Dufftown Eden Mill Edradour Fettercairn Gartbreck distillery Glenallachie Glenburgie Glencadam Distillery Glendronach Glendullan Glen Elgin Glenfarclas Glenfiddich Glen Garioch Glenglassaugh Glengoyne Glen Grant Glengyle Glen Keith Glenkinchie Glenlivet Glenlossie Glenmorangie Glen Moray Glen Ord Glenrothes Glen Scotia Glen Spey Glentauchers Glenturret Highland Park Inchdairnie Inchgower Isle of Jura Kilchoman Kingsbarns Distillery Kininvie Distillery Knockando Knockdhu Lagavulin Laphroaig Linkwood Loch Lomond Lochnagar LoneWolf Longmorn The Macallan Macduff Mannochmore Miltonduff Mortlach Oban Pulteney Royal Brackla Roseisle distillery Scapa Speyburn Speyside Springbank Strathearn Strathisla Strathmill Talisker Tamdhu Tamnavulin Teaninich Tobermory Tomatin Tomintoul Torabhaig Tormore Tullibardine Wolfburn |
Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross
Charlestown-of-Aberlour Isle of Lewis Girvan, Ayrshire Glenrinnes Annan Inverkeilor Port Ellen Kennethmont Ardnamurchan Lochranza Dalmuir Mulben Banffshire Edderton Cromdale Dufftown Fort William Morayshire Banffshire Forres Wigtown Pitlochry, Perthshire Isle of Islay Nairn Ballindalloch Isle of Islay Port Askaig Port Askaig Knockando Brora Ballindalloch Craigellachie, Moray Fife Aberlour Alness Dalwhinnie Doune Banffshire Fife Pitlochry Laurencekirk Bowmore Banffshire Morayshire Angus Aberdeenshire Banffshire Morayshire Ballindollach Dufftown Oldmeldrum Portsoy Dumgoyne Rothes Campbeltown Keith Pencaitland Ballindalloch Elgin Tain Elgin Muir of Ord Rothes Mull of Kintyre Rothes Mulben Crieff Kirkwall Glenrothes Buckie Jura Kilchoman Kingsbarns Dufftown Knockando Knock Port Ellen Port Ellen Elgin Alexandria Ballater Ellon Elgin Craigellachie Banff Elgin Elgin Dufftown Oban Wick Nairn Roseisle, Elgin Kirkwall Rothes Drumguish Mull of Kintyre Methven Keith Keith Carbost, Isle of Skye Knockando Tomnavoulin Alness Isle of Mull Tomatin Ballindalloch Teangue, Isle of Skye Grantown-on-Spey Blackford Thurso |
Highlands
Speyside Islands Lowlands Speyside Lowlands Highlands Islay Highlands Highlands Islands Lowlands Speyside Speyside Highlands Speyside Speyside Highlands Speyside Speyside Speyside Lowlands Highlands Islay Highlands Speyside Islay Islay Islay Speyside Highlands Speyside Speyside Lowlands Speyside Highlands Speyside Highlands Speyside Lowlands Highlands Highlands Islay Speyside Speyside Highlands Highlands Speyside Speyside Speyside Speyside Highlands Highlands Highlands Speyside Campbeltown Speyside Lowlands Speyside Speyside Highlands Speyside Highlands Speyside Campbeltown Speyside Speyside Highlands Islands Lowlands Speyside Islands Islay Lowlands Speyside Speyside Highlands Islay Islay Speyside Highlands Highlands Highland Speyside Speyside Speyside Speyside Speyside Speyside Highlands Highlands Highlands Speyside Islands Speyside Speyside Campbeltown Highlands Speyside Speyside Islands Speyside Speyside Highlands Islands Highlands Speyside Islands Speyside Highlands Highlands |
